Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Sony Announces 4 New Cameras

Hello everyone!

I am pleased to announce that Sony has released 4 new cameras last week, showcasing some innovative features as well as developing their new translucent mirror cameras. Firstly, I'll start off with the traditional DSLRs which replace the a500 and the a550. The newly developed a560 and a580 DSLRs both have new sensors and are one of the first DSLR cameras from Sony that can now record HD video up to 1080i, shoot up to 7 frames per second, have a new 15-point autofocus system, 3D sweep panorama, 3 frame HDR and has an extended ISO 25600 (Multi-Frame NR mode). These are great cameras for the enthusiast photographer, that produce great images even in low-light. The only thing that I can think of that Sony should have put in is a dedicated AF assist lamp but I guess they'll reserve that for their higher up models.




 Sony a580

As usual, here are the specs for the cameras taken from Sony Europe:


Key FeaturesDSLR-Α580 / DSLR-A560
TypeInterchangeable Lens Digital Camera with built-in flash
Lens CompatibilitySony α lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens
Image SensorA580
Exmor™ APS HD CMOS 16.2 effective megapixels (approx.)
A560
Exmor™ APS HD CMOS 14.2 effective megapixels (approx.)
ProcessorBIONZ™ image processor
ISO Sensitivity RangeISO 100 - 12800 (Extended: ISO 25600 in Multi-Frame NR Mode)
Image Quality ModesJPEG (fine, standard), RAW, RAW + JPEG
HDMI Connector and BRAVIA SyncHDMI mini connector (Type C), BRAVIA Sync (Sync menu), PhotoTV HD
Image Size: 3:2 (pixels)A580
L size:  4912x3264 (16M)
M size:  3568x2368 (8.4M)
S size:  2448x1624 (4M)
A560
L size:  4592x3056 (14M)
M size:  3344x2224 (7.4M)
S size:  2288x1520 (3.5M)
HD movie recordAVCHD: 1920 x 1080i (16:9) (59.94i recording, 29.97 fps image sensor output / Average bit rate 17 Mbps)
MP4: 1440 x 1080 (16:9) (29.97 fps / Average bit rate 12 Mbps) / 640 x 480 (4:3) (29.97 fps / Average bit rate 3 Mbps)
Max record time: Without SteadyShot Inside 29 minutes, with SteadyShot Inside 14minutes on the α580 and 24 minutes on the α560
at a room temperature
ViewfinderFixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror type Optical Viewfinder
Approx. 95% coverage, 0.8x magnification (with 50mm lens at infinity)
LCD7.5cm (3”) TFT (Xtra Fine LCD) with 921k dot resolution; 2-way tilting mechanism
Live View SystemQuick AF Live View (pentamirror tilt system) 
Focus Check Live ViewFocus system TTL phase detection system / Contrast AF selectable
Display Real-time image adjustment display (reflects exposure compensation, white balance, Sunset / B&W of Creative Style )*
* Available only during AE lock
SteadyShot INSIDEYES
Anti-dust SystemCoating on low pass filter, plus image-sensor shift
Focus ModesAF/MF selectable
AF modes: Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF
Autofocus SystemTTL 15-point phase detection AF system with 3 cross sensors (11-point with optical viewfinder)
Exposure ModesProgrammed AE (AUTO, AUTO - Flash Off, P), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual, Scene selection
Exposure Metering System(Live View): 1200-zone evaluative
(Viewfinder): 40-segment honeycomb pattern
Exposure Metering ModesMulti-segment, Centre-weighted, Spot
Scene SelectionPortrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night portrait/Night view, Hand-held Twilight
Creative Style SettingsStandard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W
Sweep PanoramaYES (2D and 3D)
Auto HDRYES (available in P/A/S/M modes)
Shutter Speed1/4000-30sec, Bulb
Exposure Bracketing3 continuous exposures, in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps
White Balance SettingsAuto / 6 presets / Colour Temperature/Colour Filter /  Custom WB
Continuous Advance ShootingUp to 7 fps in Speed Priority mode (AF/AE fixed at first frame)
Up to 5 fps with optical viewfinder
Up to 3 fps in Quick AF Live View mode
Approx. no. of ShotsApprox. 1050 images with optical viewfinder, approx. 560 images in live view mode (CIPA standard)
Built-in FlashAuto pop-up, GN 12 at ISO 100, FOV coverage up to 18mm
Flash ModesFlash-off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Rear Sync., Wireless*, Hi-speed sync.*,

*With compatible external flash
MediaMemoryStick PRO Duo / PRO-HG Duo / SD memory card / SDHC memory card / SDXC memory card
Dimensions (WxHxD)Approx. 137 x 104 x 84mm (W/H/D, excluding protrusions)
WeightApprox. 599g (excluding battery, media and accessories)







Now these cameras that I am about to talk about are not DSLRs but are called Digital Single Lens Translucent (DSLT) cameras because the mirror doesn't flip up in a reflex motion, instead they are fixed semi-transparent mirrors. The advantages of this new technology means that the cameras can shoot at a blazing fast rate. On the a55 it can shoot up to 10fps with continuous phase-detection autofocus, even when recording movies. Also there is no mirror blackout when taking a photo, no mirror movement compared to traditional DSLRs, shorter shutter lag and it allows the user to have a more compact body. The following a33 and a55 is a great innovative step for Sony in the camera market and I'm even considering buying the a55 for its performance and quality. Here's a video showcasing its headlining its main features:



Camera Specs:

Key FeaturesSLT-Α55V / SLT-A33
TypeInterchangeable lens digital camera with built-in flash
Lens CompatibilitySony α lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens
Image SensorA55:
Exmor™ APS HD CMOS 16.2 effective megapixels (approx.)
A33:
Exmor™ APS HD CMOS 14.2 effective megapixels (approx.)
ProcessorBIONZ™ image processor
ISO Sensitivity RangeISO 100 - 12800 (Extended: ISO 25600 in Multi Frame NR Mode)
Image Quality ModesJPEG (fine, standard), RAW, RAW + JPEG
HDMI Connector and BRAVIA SyncHDMI mini connector (Type C), BRAVIA Sync (Sync menu), PhotoTV HD
Image Size: 3:2 (pixels)A55:
L size:  4912x3264 (16M)
M size:  3568x2368 (8.4M)
S size:  2448x1624 (4M)
A33:
L size:  4592x3056 (14M)
M size:  3344x2224 (7.4M)
S size:  2288x1520 (3.5M)
HD movie recordQuick AF Full HD movie with phase-detection autofocus
AVCHD: 1920 x 1080i (16:9)
MP4: 1440 x 1080 (16:9) / 640 x 480 (4:3)
Max record time: 29 mins
Electronic ViewfinderElectronic Viewfinder “Tru-Finder” (Xtra Fine) (1.15 million dots effective resolution), with 100% frame coverage
Digital level gauge, shooting information and grid line display modes
LCD7.5cm (3”) TFT (Xtra Fine LCD) with 921k dot resolution; variable-angle tilt/swivel mechanism
Live View SystemQuick AF Live View
SteadyShot INSIDEYES
Anti-dust SystemCoating on low pass filter, plus image-sensor shift
Focus ModesAF/MF selectable
AF modes: Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF
Autofocus SystemTTL 15-point phase detection AF system with 3 cross sensors
Exposure ModesProgrammed AE (AUTO, AUTO - Flash Off, P), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual, Scene selection
Exposure Metering System1200-zone evaluative metering
Exposure Metering ModesMulti-segment, Centre-weighted, Spot
Scene SelectionPortrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night portrait/Night view, Hand-held Twilight
Creative Style SettingsStandard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W
Sweep PanoramaYES (2D and 3D)
Auto HDRYES (available in P/A/S/M modes)
Shutter Speed1/4000-30sec, Bulb
Exposure Bracketing3 continuous exposures, in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps
White Balance SettingsAuto / 6 presets / Colour Temperature/Colour Filter /  Custom WB
Continuous Advance ShootingA55:
Continuous Priority AE mode: up to 10fps with tracking AF
Continuous mode: Up to 6fps
*varies according to shooting conditions and memory card used
A33:
Continuous Priority AE mode: up to 7fps with tracking AF
Continuous mode: Up to 6fps
*varies according to shooting conditions and memory card used
Approx. no. of ShotsA55:
Approx. 330 images with viewfinder, approx. 380 images in live view mode (CIPA standard)
A33:
Approx. 270 images with viewfinder, approx. 340 images in live view mode (CIPA standard)
Built-in FlashAuto pop-up, GN 12 at ISO 100, FOV coverage up to 18mm
Flash ModesFlash-off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Rear Sync., Wireless*, Hi-speed sync.*,

*With external flash HVL-F58AM, HVL-F56AM, HVL-F42AM, HVL-F36AM
MediaMemoryStick PRO Duo / PRO-HG Duo / SD memory card / SDHC memory card
Dimensions (WxHxD)Approx. 124.4 x 92 x 84.7mm (W/H/D, excluding protrusions)
WeightA55:
Approx. 441g (excluding battery, media and accessories)
A33:
Approx. 433g (excluding battery, media and accessories)




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